NC charter schools seeking capital funds lose case

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina’s Court of Appeals is telling charter schools seeking taxpayer money to buy and maintain their buildings and buses to take it up with lawmakers.

The appeals court ruled Tuesday that state lawmakers intended for charter schools to use their own resources to provide classrooms. The court said the alternative schools aren’t entitled to the capital funds that other public schools get.

Seven charter schools sued in 2009, saying they had the same right to access to the money as other public schools. State and local governments provide operating funds to hire teachers and buy textbooks.

The Legislature this year eliminated a statewide limit of 100 charter schools in place since the schools were created 15 years ago, but didn’t change how they’re funded.